Communication disorders: investigator training and support needs.
There are very few "simple problems" left in the area of communication disorders, but that does not mean that there are unsolvable problems. However, in pursuit of these, present day research often requires extensive technical procedures which require teams of investigators trained in different areas. Among these should be the otolaryngologist, but, in this country, there are few involved and there is a paucity of disease-oriented research. In the 1950s and 1960s the NIH training grant provided funds for bringing doctor of philosophy researchers into clinical departments to set up laboratories and work intimately with the medical doctor. Basic research training is still essential during residency and the number of postresidency fellowships ought to be increased. The familiarity with clinical problems introduced into the research effort should improve the possibility for the conduction of disease-oriented research in addition to the present day emphasis on basic research.
D000818:Animals; D005380:Financing, Government; D006311:Hearing Disorders; D006801:Humans; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D010036:Otolaryngology / Q000193:education*; D051381:Rats; D012106:Research; D013064:Speech Disorders; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce